Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1887-04-28
m sIExoRrAn.
MRS. NARY CHESTER AILIsox.

ter a long and painful Illness, q represent
tative woman. Mrs Mary Chester Allison,
was taken from among Us.
She was one of our oldest. best known,
most esteemed citizens and her death has
made a void which it will be well nigh
impossible to fill.
Mary Mcdonnell Chester was born In
Jonesboro, Tennessee. March z, 1910.
OF an old, honorable and honored
family, she bore herself throughout a life
passing beyond the allotted three'score
and ten, the proud ~andlworthy daughter
of such ancestry.
In 1928, when but a mere girl. she was
happily married 10 Richard Cannon, of
Blountville, and was left = F&dow within
six years. Two children Of this union
grew to maturity-Mrs. Wilds and Mrs.
Keebler, both now dead, leaving children
for whom Grandma Allison did a moth
er's part.
In 1912 she married Robert Allison Of
this county. a man Of strong character
and sterling worth, to whons she became,
in very truth, a helpmeet.
He died in 1861, leaving her with four
children, Chester. John-now Secretary
of State-George and Miss Phia.
Twice widowed. her long life has com
passed much Of sorrow, suffering, afiic-
tion and loss; but these we're borne as
only a brave. trusting woman car bear
trials, and they only chastenea, never en-
Filtered her.
To her own immediate circle her loss
is irreparable. The entire training Of her
children devolved upon her, and no more
devoted, self sacrificing mother ever liv-
ed. II is but just and fitting to say that
these children. now men and women,
have honored her teachings, and given
her measure for measure of tender, rev.
erent care and almost passionate fondness.
Two families of grandchildren had
been raised under her roof and it seemed
as if the rest and quiet which she had SC
well earned had come TO her, when, al
sixty three, word came that three more
children who bore her name were moth.
erless in a far off State. She brought
them to her, opened her home and hel
great heart to them, and the whole com
munity knows how well she fulfilled thu
dying mothers trust.
Marrying at such an early age, Mrs
Allison missed, of course, the advantage
of long school training; but an %intellec
of high order, quick perception, a goot
memory, the habit of close observation
wide and deep experience and a fondnest
for reading made her, in the highest, hes
sense, a cultured woman.
We were all proud Of her. Her at
t%ractive personal appearance and her dig
nifty Of carriage, always made her the oh
ject Of admiring attention. Even to al
most four.score she was q beautiful oil,
woman, and Death, which cnnobles an,
dignifes even the plainest face, SCENE,
to transfgure and glorify hers.
Her generous impulses, her heart
sympathies-that always crystallizcd int
deeds Of love and sacrifce-her ho2efr
disposition, her outspoEen contempt fc
narrowness and meanness. her brigl
sayings, and her skill and defines In a
kinds of woman's NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
ing almost to genius-made her q charm
ing companion, and an admirable, lover
BILE woman.
There was nothing negative or passiv
about her. She felt that God had mad
her q living. healthful force, and sh
scorned inertness as she would sin.
She was firm in her religious convit
tions, and, while loving to humanity an
tolerant to all creeds-even aflliating wit
other churches when out Of reach Of HI
own-she vas loyal to q proverb to ii
! doctrines and the advancement of HI
beloved Presbyterian Church.
She was a reverant woman; refined on
/ spiritual. The unseen things Of Il
| Higher Life took deep hold on her, ar
yet, so wisely and intensely human WI
T she in all her sympathics, that the hui
. cry went to her for food; the sick SCI
for her for nursing; the dying for cons
, ~lation; the sorrowing for comfort and Il
; erring for help.
e. Children with cut fingers, and balls
cover, and kites to mend, hurried TO h
presence; the young folks told her
i. their love affairs, certain Of sympatl
and wise counsel; and the old ones can
, to her with their cares and grief. cons'
}, Gus that she would make them easier
T be borne. She was not faultless: but HI
she been less human; she had been le
close, less dear and less helpful to us o
G We can truthfully say-apd what bett
Q could be said Of any ones-that she W
q good woman, a strong woman, awhoI
some woman, an honorcd woman and
( loved woman.
We, who, as friends and neighbc
knew so well her worth, feel that SON
I thing material has gone out Of our liv'
a but SO strong is our belief that ritis wei
with her, VIC cannot Jul because
has taken the bright, heroic s%pirit-ey
q though it was through the gloomy p
tails Of Death-up
ITO His W House ia Paradise.